The Pest-Management Attitude (PMA) Scale: a Unidimensional and Versatile Assessment Tool
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The pest-management attitude (PMA) scale: a unidimensional and versatile assessment tool Joanne P. AleyA,B,E, Taciano L. MilfontC and James C. RussellA,D ASchool of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. BSocial and Behavioural Science Team, Department of Conservation, 24 Wellesley Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. CSchool of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. DDepartment of Statistics, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. ECorresponding author. Email: [email protected] Appendix S1. Environmental attitudes and Hauraki Gulf islands: A survey of public opinions About Your Island Property (If you own more than one property on the same island please fill out the survey based on what you consider to be the primary property) 1. Please tick the island that your property is located on. ☐ Great Barrier Island ☐ Kawau Island ☐ Rakino Island ☐ Waiheke Island 2. Please choose from one of the below to describe the primary status of your island property. ☐ Permanent residence ☐ Holiday home ☐ Vacant section ☐ Investment/rental property ☐ Business ☐ Other 3. How much time approximately would you spend on the island in total over a typical 12 month period? Please write the total number of months below. 4. How long have you owned your island property? Please write the number of years below. 5. Would you consider your property to be in a remote location of the island? ☐ Yes ☐ No Environmental Attitudes 6. Listed below are statements about the relationship between humans and the environment. For each one, please indicate whether you STRONGLY AGREE, MILDLY AGREE, are UNSURE, MILDLY DISAGREE or STRONGLY DISAGREE with it. STRONGLY MILDLY MILDLY STRONGLY DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT: AGREE AGREE UNSURE DISAGRE DISAGREE E 1. We are approaching the limit of the number of people the earth can support 2. Humans have the right to modify the natural environment to suit their needs 3. When humans interfere with nature it often produces disastrous consequences 4. Human ingenuity will ensure that we do NOT make the earth unliveable 5. Humans are severely abusing the environment 6. The earth has plenty of natural resources if we just learn how to develop them 7. Plants and animals have as much right as humans to exist 8. The balance of nature is strong enough to cope with the impacts of modern industrial nations 9. Despite our special abilities humans are still subject to the laws of nature 10. The so-called “ecological crisis” facing humankind has been greatly exaggerated 11. The earth is like a spaceship with very limited room and resources 12. Humans were meant to rule over the rest of nature 13. The balance of nature is very delicate and easily upset 14. Humans will eventually learn enough about how nature works to be able to control it 15. If things continue on their present course, we will soon experience a major ecological catastrophe 7. a) Are you a member of an environmental or conservation organisation? ☐ No ☐ Yes (if yes please answer 7b. b) and if yes, please indicate across which of the following regions. Please tick all that are applicable. ☐ Your island ☐ National ☐ International 8. Have you actively participated in conservation in the last 12 months. Active participation includes conservation events such as, but not limited to, tree planting projects, weed control, helping build tracks, or pest control. ☐ No ☐ Yes 9. Please tick one option below that best describes the MAIN value the island holds for you. Please tick only one. Value Tick one The remoteness and isolation The sense of community The landscape and environment The lifestyle The sanctity it provides The opportunity it provides for business and employment 10. Please tick one statement below that best describes your MAIN concern for the environment. Please tick only one. Environment Concern Tick one I am concerned for the future existence of animals and plants I am concerned for the future impact on humanity I am concerned for the future ability to benefit from the environment 11. When concerned about environment or conservation issues that could affect you and/or your island community have you ever carried out any of the following actions? Please tick all that are applicable. Action you would take Tick Attend a public meeting Donate money to and/or join an environmental group Find out more about the issue Join a community group campaigning for the issue Nothing Sign a petition Vote for a candidate in an election, in part because he or she shared your views on the issue Write a letter to the local newspaper Write a letter or talk to your local Councillor or Member of Parliament (MP) 12. Please rate your level of satisfaction with ‘The quality of New Zealand’s natural environment’. 0=Completely Dissatisfied, 1 to 9=Somewhat Satisfied, 10=Completely satisfied. Circle one number. Completely Somewhat Completely Dissatisfied Satisfied Satisfied 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13. Listed below are statements about introduced pest species and their control. For each one, please indicate whether you STONGLY AGREE, MILDLY AGREE, are UNSURE, MILDLY DISAGREE or STRONGLY DISAGREE with it. STRONGLY MILDLY MILDLY STRONGLY DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE THAT: AGREE AGREE UNSURE DISAGREE DISAGREE 1. Pest species are a significant conservation problem 2. Pest control is a losing battle 3. The benefits of pest control outweigh the risks to native species 4. Enough pest control is being done already 5. Native species have greater rights than pest species 6. Today’s pest control methods are NOT proven to be effective 7. Investment in pest control is beneficial for future generations 8. Pest control is less important than other conservation issues 9. Pest control is best done by experts 10. Pest control has unknown side effects 11. Humans are the fundamental cause of pest species 12. Pest control interferes with nature 14. Below are statements about conservation in New Zealand. For each one please indicate if you STONGLY AGREE, MILDLY AGREE, NEITHER AGREE OR DISAGREE, MILDLY DISAGREE or STRONGLY DISAGREE with it. NEITHER DO YOU AGREE OR STRONGLY MILDLY AGREE OR MILDY STRONGLY DISAGREE THAT AGREE AGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE 1. Protecting nature doesn’t make any difference to me or my life 2. Protection of NZ’s native forests and species is important for us all 3. Conservation is good for NZ’s economy 4. Having natural places to visit is very important to me 5. Commercial development should not override conservation demands 6. Protection of NZ’s native forests and species is important for tourism 7. I’ve got enough to worry about than care about conservation 8. I don’t have the knowledge or skills to get involved in conservation 15. As well as conservation do you consider any of the below sectors to additionally benefit from pest control (tick those that apply): Sector Tick Agricultural Economic Ecosystem services Financial Human health & safety Threatened species translocations Tourism 16. Below are some concerns people have about rat control. Although you may identify with more than one, please tick only one statement below that best describes your MAIN concern. Please tick only one. Concern Tick one Effectiveness of techniques to kill target species Influence of pest removal on other parts of the ecosystem Impact of poison on non-target species Lack of public consultation Residual effects of poison in water ways Risk of poison to pets, livestock and people The use of poisons over other methods 17. a) Have you ever undertaken rat control either on your property or for conservation? ☐ Yes (go to question 18) ☐ No (go to question 17b) b) and if not, please indicate the reason why below ☐ I don’t know how to control them ☐ I choose not to control them ☐ I don’t like poisons ☐ Rats are not a problem on my property 18. Which one of the following best describes the extent to which you are aware of rat control METHODS? Please tick only one. Level of Awareness Tick one I have studied them and have a good understanding of the technicalities I have heard about them and could probably explain them to a friend I have heard of them and know something about them I have heard of them but know little or nothing about them I have not heard of them and know nothing about them 19. Below are statements people have made about science. Please indicate if you STONGLY AGREE, MILDLY AGREE, NEITHER AGREE OR DISAGREE, MILDLY DISAGREE or STRONGLY DISAGREE with it. NEITHER DO YOU AGREE OR STRONGLY MILDLY AGREE OR MILDY STRONGLY DISAGREE THAT AGREE AGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE 1. I enjoy finding out about new ideas in science 2. The government should fund scientific research, even if we can’t be sure of the economic benefits 3. If you are told something has been scientifically proven, you can have confidence in the results 4. When scientists say they are uncertain about something, they are telling the truth 5. An important part of science is persuading other scientists to agree with your theories 20. Would you support the complete removal of rats permanently (i.e. eradicate) from your island? Please choose one of the following. ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure ☐ Depends on the details 21. Do you have any general comments regarding rat control on YOUR ISLAND? About You / Your Household 22. Are you? ☐ Male ☐ Female 23. In what year were you born? 24. Which ethnic group(s) do you belong to (tick as many as applicable)? ☐ New Zealand European ☐ Māori ☐ European ☐ Pacific Islander ☐ Chinese ☐ Indian ☐ Other – please specify 25. What is your highest formal education qualification (tick one)? ☐ No qualification ☐ Secondary school qualification (NCEA Level 1 to 3 – including School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate & University Entrance/Bursary) ☐ Trade Certificate and/or Foundation Certificate ☐ Diploma ☐ Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree ☐ Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma ☐ Masters Degree ☐ Doctoral Degree ☐ Other – please print 26.